Students aided by the Success Center
Lauren Eiter
Issue date: 2/6/03 Section: News
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Unfortunately many students faced with the challenge of taking physics courses here at UAH experience this terror; the terror of approaching problems that are as Greek as the equations used to solve them.
If you are a science or engineering major you can empathize. When it comes to physics, it's like learning a different language. However, not all hope is lost. There is a place you can go to get help--the Physics Success Center.
The brainchild of Dr. Abdalla Elsamadicy, the Physics Success Center began in August of 2002 and is supported by Dr. Lloyd Hillman, Physics chair, and Dr. Fix, Dean of the College of Science.
The Success Center mission is to "provide a central location from which students in the physical sciences can seek guidance from experienced tutorial personnel free of charge."
The dual purpose in this program is to establish convenient tutorial services for undergraduates and give graduate students an opportunity to test their teaching skills. According to Dr. Elsamadicy, many different majors are visiting the Success Center including Business and Psychology, as well as science majors.
Many students are reaping the benefits of this program. Kiri Wani, an Optical Engineering junior, says of her visits, "They answered all my questions ... in an understandable fashion."
Tiffany Freeman, Biology senior, says that the Physics Success Center "helps (her) tremendously!" Paul Lancaster, Electrical Engineering junior claims the Physics Success Center is a "positive factor in the PH113 learning process."
With resounding acclaim, Dr. Elsamadicy wants to see this program accomplish even more. Future goals include training undergraduates in lab techniques, presentation and proposal writing skills.
Graduate students as well as undergraduates will be able to take part in collaborative projects with other Universities and perhaps even work with governmental agencies, further preparing students for the job field.
Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of opportunities like the Physics Success Center. Many science majors that experienced the Cal-based Physics sequence have frequently visited the Success Center finding it very helpful, especially when they were not able to make it to a professor's office hours.
It is a convenient place to go and get homework assistance, obtain lab report suggestions, and of course tests reviews. Consequently, if students participate in these programs there may be future incentive to offer more of them at UAH.